2-Acylamino-2-deoxy glucono-1,5-lactones (I), their preparation, intermediates for their preparation, and cosmetic, pharmaceutical and detergent compositions containing them. The new compounds are of formula (I): A = R1 or -COR1; R1 = 1-30C alkyl which may be unsaturated and may be totally or partially substituted by Hal, and may be interrupted by one or more of -O-, -S-, -CO, -N(R3)CO-, Ph(R4)n-and -(CH2CH2-O0)n, or R1 is a diterpenic or triterpenic cyclane radical; Hal = Cl, Br, I, or F; R2 = 1-11C alkyl; R3 = H or -CH2)n-CH3; n = 0 - 17; R4 = H, methyl, ethyl, or propyl; n = 0 - 4; n' = 1 - Independent claims cover intermediates for the preparation of (I) having the formulae (II), (III), and (IV): P1 = a protecting group., preferably allyl; P2 = a protecting group, preferably benzyl
